Mrs H. wrote:For instance - schools orienteering - the government likes it and supports it but we know it does little for club membership compared to the effort put into it - if the government wants it - let them pay for it - don't expect the rest of us to pick up the bill.
Once again Mrs H you make this assertion.... You are not correct! Any 'new membership' drive is a long term process. Try to attract members from a running club. A lot of effort... few new members. Same with scouts, youth clubs, fell running clubs, sports centres. You are competing against lots of other attractions for their attention.
There is no easy route to membership increase. It is all a long term project... and MUST be attempted if the sport is to survive with a future.
BUT.... BUT.... the unique worth of work with schools is that you have the opportunity to influence youth and the next generation. You can make sure that the pupils' experiences with orienteering is proper(!!). Letting them experience electronic events in school grounds is a sure way to grab their attention... they love it!
....pick up the bill..... What bill? The only expense is volunteer time. It is possible to charge pupils, covering the cost of map and equipment.
However, whether RDOs should be the means of achieving this is a separate debate. Publicise models that are being used around the country, to great effect, would be a worthwhile route to success. A schools' development conference once a year would be a start.... are you listening BOF central?